Pontoon for hydroaeroplanes and process of producing the same



` 1,656,412 G.v EQ BARNl-v-IARTl y :rQNToON Fon HYDROAERQPLAYNES ANDTRocEss 'of' PR'ODUCING THE 'SAME Filed Nov. 2s. 1926 v's sheets-sheen ATTORNEY 1511.411928, j 1,656,41'z j G. E. BARNHART 4 PoNTooN FOP. HYDROAEROPLANES AND PRocEssfoF PRoDUcING THE 'SAME File@ Nov. 25.1926 ss'eefs-sheets 'INVENToRQ l @ORGUE BAHMYABT A TTRNEY PatentedJan. 17, 1928.

P-A'laiarl ori-fics.

' GEQBGE l.. 0l' PASADINA, CALIFORNIA..

roNrooN iron mnonnormmis un rnocnss or rnomicme rma sm L Application nled November 23, 1926. Serial llo. 150,828.

My invention relates to hydro-aeroplane pontoons and to a method of producing the same.

The objects-of my invention are: First, to provide a pontoon for hydro-aeroplanes which is very rigid of'construction so that the same'will effectively withstand and resist all natural and unusual `strains and impacts occasioned by striking the water head onwhen'landing, at the side when skidding, `and dropping directly into the water vin case of a stall; second, to provide a pontoonof this class in which the Weight of the craft above the. pontoon and the force of the same against the pontoon is uniformly distributed, from without, by struts and braces, and by interior braces, to the bottom or hull portion of the pontoon; third, to provide a pontoon of this class inywhich the force of'.

the craft above the pontoon is uniformly distributed to a center andside keelsons extending llongitudinally within the pontoon, as wellas to the chines lor bilge keelsons at the extreme lateral sides of the pontoon; fourth, to provide a pontoon of this class vin which the side-swipe of the craft is concentrated ,on the side keelsons and uni- .formly distributed over the ontoon; fifth, to provide a pontoon of tis class` having side keelsons at the op rising structural framework, extend from the deck to the hull portion shell or covering;.s1xth, to provide a n.. toonof this class having side keelsons ofthe` class mentioned whereby. the framework of Ithe pontoon may be easily constructed andrreadily. reinforced with other` members of the. pontoon so that the covering'or shell at the outside of the pontoon may lbe secured to the framework rwithout removing the` same from the supportin means on which the pontoon is supporte for constructing the same, or without removing any material portion of the su porting means to ermit access to the ramework from' elow; seventh, to provide -a pontoon of such type as to be equally adapted to wood rand metal.-

construction;'eighth, to provide as a whole a novelly constructed. pontoon for' hydroaeroplanes; ninth, to provide a novel method for producing'pontoons of this. class; and, tenth, to provide a pontoon of this class whichis simple and `economical'of construesite sides of thecenter keelson, which. si e keelsons, coni` of the enclosing.

tion and which will not readily deteriorate or ield 'to unusual forces.

iththese and other objects in view, as

will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions aswill be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application inv which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my pontoon for hydro-aeroplanes; Fig'. 2 is a plan view thereof showing the struts broken away and in section; Fig. 3 isa front elevational. view thereof; Fig. 4 is a' rear end elevational view; Fig. 5 isa top view-thereof showing the upper shell portion or cover-- ing broken away and in section, and also .the deckl formers and deck'ribs at one side of the ontoon broken away and in section to facilitate the illustrationyFig. 6 is a partial 'sectional `and partial side elevational Vview .thereof taken on the line 6--6 of Fig.;

5; Fig@ 7 is a lon itudinal sectional viewm 8 thereof, taken respectively through 88,`

9-9and 10-10 of Fig. 5.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and ortions throughout the several views of t e drawings.

The essential parts and portions of my pontoon'consist of the lower chines or bilge keelsons 1, deck chines 2, longitudinal keelson 3, side keelsons 4, transverse bulkheads 5, 6 and 7 deck formers 8, deck ribs 9, shell .or deck and hull coveringlO, step formersv 11, step plate 12, step struts 13, craft supporting struts 14, 15 and 16, reinforcin members 17, diagonal braces 18 and 19, an the side-swipe 'sockets 20 and 21.-

The chine 1, or sometimes called bilge keelson, extends around the whole bottom portion of the pontoon and forms the lower outer edge or corner thereof. Said chine may be made of one piece and curved around the bow in a-wide sweep, or the same may be made in separate pieces. The rear ends of the chine 1 are connected together in a rela- L tivelysharp n end. from bow l keelson 3 which is secured at its forward ventional ste and rear ends to the corresponding ends of thechines and lextends preferably beyond the rear ends thereof. At the o posite sides of the center keelsonbe'tween t e same `and the complete or continuous chine 1, are positioned other or side keelsons 4 which extend fore vand aft and are secured at their forward and rear ends to the chine 1 in spaced relation to the center keelson.- The keelsons and the chine or chines are spaced laterally relative to each other by means of transverse bulkheads 5., 6 and? which bulkheads divide the hull of the pontoon into four or any other number of watertight compartments. It will be noted that such bulkheads may not be watertight, if desired, but may only serve as transversev reinforcing frames. At the lower side and intermediate lthe ends of the chines (by chines being meant the portions of the continuous chine at the opposite side of the pontoon), are provided' the angularly shaped step forming members 11 which provide a frame work for the conpontoons. onnecting said ste forming members at their rear ends and a so the verltically offset lower frame members 3* and 3b of the center keelson, is'the step plate 12 which is reinforced angularly relativev to the upper ortion of the bulkhead 6 on the center kee son lby means of diagonal braces or step struts 13. Extendingdlagonally backthe pontoon. v

Extending 4longitudinally from the forwardto the rear end of the framework, that is, from the forward tothe rear portions of the chines, are the longitudinal deck formers 8 which arerelatively small ribs. Extending transversely between and secured to I .the edges of the keelsonsychines and deck formers, are the deck ribs 9, which in the pontoon shown are curved for forming a` round deck for the pontoon. Thepsuperlmposed chines land the'deck chines 2 are connected by vertical deck/ribs and formthe substantially straight sides 4which connect the rounded and widel fore portion with the sharp in'end. The bottom of the frame! work is similarly provided with longitudinal and transverse formers and ribs. )vefrythe` outer portions of both the upper and lower' sidesofY the several keelsons, chines, -rib provided in hydro-aeroplane covering of any suitable nature such as wood panels, metal plate, fabric, fiber, bake= lite, or the like.

It will be noted that the bottom of the hul or shell toeither side of the center keelson, is inclined outwardly and upwardly both forwardly and to the rear of the step, as in conventional pontoon Iconstruction. It

will be also noted that the forward portionl of the bottom of the pontoonis curved upwardly in gradual curves and terminates in a substantially sharp edge at the forward portion of the rounded deck.

The center keelson, as well as the side'keelsons, are made of rigid'skeleton framework and extend as continuous structures from their forward to their rear intersections wit-h the slielland from the upper to the lower sides, or from the deck to the hull portions of the shell, thus forming a rigid structure.

The'portion ofthe center keelson between the forward and rear-most transverse bulkheads v5 and 7, is preferably divided, and

formed with a longitudinal bulkhead por tion 3d which may consist of anels or boards extending diagonally fromqt e upper longitudinal member of the keelson to the rear and downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7.The structural framework of the center keelson is preferably built on and at the opposite sides of itsbulkhead portion. v r

Secured to the center keelson and extending upwardly therefrom beyond the upper side of the ontoon, are struts 14, 15 and 16. Although tliree struts are shown, the number may `vary according to requirements. Sald struts are preferably bifurcated at their lower ends and straddle the center keelson i at the bulkhead portion. The u per longitudinal members of the center keelson are preferably reinforced at their o posite sides, at the portions traversed vby t e strutsyby means of reinforcing members'17, said members' reinforcing the upper member of the keelson by reason of weakening ofthe same in securing the struts thereto. It will be noted that each of the struts are positioned contiguous` to a transverse bulkhead and termina/Cel at their lower ends at such bulkhead. The forward or landing strut 14, which absorbs the greatest shock and strains when landing the hydro-aeroplane, is usually of larger dimensions and extends diagonally from the craft proper to the forward portion of the hull having the 'forwardly' inclined bottom. In Figs. 5', 6 and 7 of the drawings.

I have. shown diagonal braces or tubes 18 and formers, and the Alike, issecuredl a shell or vside keelsons; considerable of lsuch strain,

` however,

is also distributed to the chines, the forward transverse bulkhead, the longitudinal deck and hull formers, as well as to the shell, and, therefore, substantially uniformly, over the whole of the framework and shell of the pontoon. y l

To the shell of the ontoon, ldirect'ly over the side keelsons andJ at the intersections therewith of the forward and rear transverse bulkheads, are secured sockets 20 and 21, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, to which are secured the usual diagonal braces extending from the wings or other portions of the craft to take up the side swipe due to skidding, waves, or other conditions.

The sockets 20 and 21, it will be noted, positioned as stated, also uniformly distribute the lateral force due to side swipe vof the craft, over the whole or substantially the whole of the pontoon.

In the construction of pontoons for hydroaeroplanes, it has been customary to use low side keelsons in the bottom of the pontoon, at the opposite side of the longitudinal axis, necessitating elaborate exterior construction framework for supporting the interior framework of .the pontoon in position while securing the upper shell portion in position thereto, and then turning the pontoon up side down for securing the hull portion of the shell to the interlor construction of the interior framework of the pontoon, the same is rigid and self-supportlngand requires only a very limited exterior supporting frame structure. fore, the hull or bottom portion of the shell may be secured in place Without removing the pontoon as a whole from the supporting means or exterior supporting framework, thus reducing to a minimum the necessity of such exterior supporting frame structure and greatly facilitating vthe construction of the pontoon. Such structure also reduces the number and accuracy of jigs and forms in the construction of the pontoon, and further allows a greater number of men to work with ease around a single pontoon.

The process of constructing the pontoon is briefly as follows: Y

The center and side keelsons are fitted and assembled on fiat assembling tables which serve as jigs and supporting means. The struts are fitted to the center keelson on another fiat table suitable therefor. The chines, including the deck chines, are bent to f shape in an external mold, or supporting structure.V The center keelson, together with the struts and step plate or step forming member, is positoned in the supporting structure, located relative to the formed chines and secured at its ends thereto. The side keelsons are then located relative to the chines at the opposite sides of the center keelson and secured at its ends to the former. The transverse bulkheads and framework. With myy Theresecured in position. f Then the longitudinal deck braces, the transversely curved deck ribs, the bottom or floor ribs, and the bottom of the shell are then put on in the order named. The deck or upper portion of the shell may be put on while the pontoon s in the mold, or after being removed thererom.

It will be here noted that though I have confined my description and illustrations to pontoons, and particularly to pontoons for hydro-aeroplanes, my invention is applicable to other similar bodies, shells, or hulls, and the reference to pontoons is intended to include the former. Y

Though Ihave shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement` of parts and portions of my pontoon, and a particular method of producing the same, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combinalar method, but desire to include in the -scope of my invention, the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pontoon of the class descr'bed, chines forming the lateral contour of the pontoon, a center keelson extending from end toend of the pontoon intermediate the chines, side keelsons, one positioned at either side of and spaced from said center keelson.-

and a covering enclosing said chines and keelsons, said side keelsons extending from deck to hull portion of said covering and to said covering at the forward and aft ends of the side keelsons.

2. In a pontoon of the class described, chines forming the lateral contour of the pontoon, end to end of the pontoon intermediate the chines, side keelsons, one positioned at either side of and spaced from said center keelson, a covering enclosing said chines and keelsons, struts extending upwardly from the axial portion of the pontoon. and secured to said center keelson, and angular braces ex tending from one of said struts to said Side keelsons adjacent the hull.

3. In a pontoon of the class described, chines forming the lateral contour of the pontoon, a center keelson extending from end to end of the pontoon intermediate the chines, side keelsons, onepositioned at either side of and spaced from said center keelson, a covering enclosing said chines and keela center keelson extending from sons, said side keelsons extending from deck work, and an the pontoon and secured to sai-dcenter keelsons within the covering, and angular braces within said covering and extending from one of said struts to said side keelsons adjacent the hull.

4. In a' pontoon of the class described, chines forming Athe lateral contour of the pontoon, a center keelson extending from end to end of the pontoon intermediate the chines, side keelsons, one positioned at either side of and spaced from said center keelson, a covering enclosing said chines and keelsons, struts extending upwardly from the axial portion of the pontoon and secured to saidcenter keelson, and angular braces extending from one of said Struts to said chines.

5. In a pontoon of the class described, -chines forming the lateral contour of the pontoon, a center keelson extending from end to end of the pontoon intermediate the chines, `side keelsons, one positioned at either side of and spaced from said center keelson, a covering enclosing said chines and keelsons, said side keelsons extending from deck to hull portion of said coverin and to said covering at the forward and a ends of thel side keelsons, struts extending upwardly from said covering at the axial portion of the pontoon and secured to said center keelson within said covering, angular braces extending -from one of said struts to said Side keelsons adjacent the hull, and other angu- Alar braces extending from said one strut angularly, forwardly and to the side toward said chines adjacent the hull.

6. In a pontoon of the class described, a

framework including chines, a covering for .said framework, struts extending upwardly from the pontoon and secured to sai frameular rod' braces extending from one of said struts to the chines at the op osite sides ofthe pontoon.

Iny a pontoon of the class described a framework including chines, a covering 4or said framework, struts extending u wardly from the pontoon 'and secured' to 'id framework, and angular rodbraces ositioned within the covering and exten ing'- from one of said struts within said covering anthe chlnes at the opposite sides of the pontoon.

8. In a pontoon 'of the class described, a framework includin side keelsons positioned at the` opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said framework and intersecting withv the forward, and aft portions thereof, a covering for said framework and said side keelsons, a strut secured to said framework and extending upwardly from said covering, and braces extending from said strut to said side keelsons.

9. In a/pontoon of the class described, a framework includingA side keelsons posi- Vkeelson and intersectin tioned at the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of sai framework and intersectin with the forward and aft portionsthereo a covering for said framework and said side keelsons, a strut secured to said framework and extending upwardly from the pontoon at the axial portion thereof,I and angular braces extending from said strut forwardly to the side toward said side keelsons 'adjacent the hull portion of the covering.

10. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center keelson 'extendin from end to end at the longitudinal axis o? said framework, side keelsons-positioned at the opposite sides of sa'id center keelson and 'intersectin and aft portions of sai framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending the full height of the framework.

11. In a a framework including a center keelson extendinff from end to endat the longitudinal axis of said framework, side keelsons positioned atithe opposite sides of said center with the forward and aft portions of sai framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending the full height ofthe framework, a covering for said framework and a. rality of transverse bulkheads exten ing from side to side and from deck to hull portion of said covering, -said transverse bulkheads dividing the interior of said pontoon into separate compartments.

12. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center keelson extending from end to end at the longitudinal axis of said framework, side keelsons positioned at the opposite sides of saidcenter keelson and intersecting with the forward and aft portions o f said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structuraLframes pontoon of the class described,'

with the forward extending the full height of the framework,

from. side to side and from deck to hull' pprtion of said covering, said center keelson tween the forward and aft transverse bulkheads being in the form of a solid wall i and serving as a dividing longitudinal bulkgularly, forwardly and to the side toward h said center keelson and extending above the' covering of the pontoon, the forward strut being positioned at an angle forwardly and downwardly and extending to the intersection of one of the transverse bulkheads with said center keelson at the-hull portion of the covering.

14. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a `center keelson ex* tending from end to end at the longitudinal axisl of said framework, side keelsons positioned at the opposite sides of. said center keelson and intersecting with the forward and aft portions of said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural framesextending the full height ofr the framework, a covering for said framework, a lurality of transverse bulkheads extending fli'om side to side and from deck to hullportion'of said covering, and a plurality of struts secured to said center kee son at the portions thereof intersected by said transverse bulkheads and extending upwardly therefrom beyond said covering.

15. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center'keelson and side keelsons extending to the forward and aft portions of said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending th'e full height of the framework, a covering for said framework, a plurality of transverse bulkheads extending from side to side and from 'deck to hull portion' of said covering, a plurality of struts secured to said center keelson and extending above the covering of the pontoon, the forward strut being positioned at an angle forwardly and downwardly and extending to the intersection of one of the`transverse bulkheads with said center keelsonat the hullportion of the covering, and a plurality of angular braces extending from said struts, at the portion thereof immediately within said covering, to said side keelsons and the outer portions of said framework adjacent.

thehull portion of said covering.

16. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center keelson and side keelsons extending to the forward and aft portions of said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending the full height of the framework, a covering for said framework, a pluralityv of transverse bulkheads extending from side to sideand from deck to hull portion of said covering, said transverse bulkheads dividing the interior of said pontoon into separate compartments, said center keelson between the forward and aft transverse bulkheads being in the form of a solid wall and serving as a dividing longitudinal bulkhead, and a plurality of struts straddling said center keelson at the bulkhead portion thereof and serving to reinforce the same, said struts extending outwardly beyond and above the covering of the pontoon, the forward struts being positioned at an angle downwardly and 'forwardly and terminating at the portion of the center keelson adjacent one of said transverse bulkheads and to the hull portion of the covering.

17. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center keelson and side keelsons extending to the forward and aft portions of said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending the full height of the framework, a covering forv said framework, a plurality of transverse bulkheads extending from side to side and fromdeck to hull portionl of said covering, said transverse bulkheads dividing the interiorof said pontoon into separate compartments, said center keelson between the forward and aft transverse bulkheads being in the form of a solid wall and serving as a dividing longitudinal bulkhead, a plu rality of struts straddling said center keelson at the bulkhead portion thereof and serving to reinforce the same, said struts extending outwardly beyond and above the covering of the fontoon, the forward struts being -positione at an angle downwardly and forwardly and terminating at the portion of the centerkeelson adjacent one of said transverse bulkheads and the hull portion of the covering, anda plurality of braces extending from said forward struts, immediately vwithin said covering, forwardly, downwardly and to the sides to said side keelsons and to the extreme side portions of said framework. i

18. In 'a pontoon of the class described, chines vforming the sidesv of the pontoon, a center keelson extending from end to end of the pontoon intermediate the chines, side keelsons, one positioned at either side of and 4spaced fromsaid center keelson, a covering enclosing said chines and keelsons, said side keelsons extending from deck to hull of said covering and to said covering at the forward and aft ends of the'side keelsons, and means atthe outer'upper sidesof said covering for securing side-swipe braces, said1 means being in alignment with said side keelsons.

19. In a pontoon of the class described, a framework including a center keelson extending from end to end at the longitudinal axis of said framework, side keelsons positioned' at the opposite sides-of said center keelson and intersecting with the forward and aft portions of said framework, all of said keelsons consisting of structural frames extending the full height of the framework,

a covering for said framework, aplurality of .transverse bulkheads extending from side to side and from deck to hull ortion of said covering, said transverse bu heads dividing the interior of said pontoon into separate compartments, and means at the outer upper sidesl of said covering for securing side-swipe braces, said means being in aligni mounting center and side keelsons on the supporting means and securing the same at their ends to saidchlnes and reinforcing the same relative to each other, and then sc- .curing the covering over said chilies and keelsons Without removing the same from said supporting means.

^21. The herein described process of producing pontoons for hydro-aeroplanes consisting in forming a chine of the desired lateral contour of the pontoon and clamping the same in place' on a 'supporting means, then mounting center and side keelsons, having supporting struts, on the supporting means and securing the same at their ends yto said chines, then securing transverse framework to said center keelsons, said side keelsons and said chines, and then covering said chines, keelsons and framework without removing the same from said supporting means.

said chines, then securing auxiliary longitudinal andtransverse reinforcing framework on and between said keelsons and chines and then securing a shell to the outer sides of said keelsons, chmes and framework.

23. The herein described process of producing pontoons for hydro-aeroplanes consisting 1n forming a chine of the desired lateral contour of the pontoon and clamping the same in place on a supporting means, then'mounting center and side keelsons on the su porting means and Securing the same at their ends to said chines and reinforcing the same relative to each other, and then se-l curing an outer coverin to the bottom sides of'said chines and kee sons while` the same are supported on Said supportin means.

In testimon whereof, I have ereunto set my hand at asadena, California, this 4th day of November, 1926.

` GEORGE E. BARNHART. 

